Remixes may no longer be what they were when he started out, but the country's first popular DJ, Akbar Sami, hopes to change this for the better with his new album, Jalwa Returns.
Remixes may no longer be what they were when he started out, but the country's first popular DJ, Akbar Sami, hopes to change this for the better with his new album, Jalwa Returns. In a tete-a-tete, he tells us about his deejayingu00a0 journey and what differentiates a good remix from a terrible one.
On a song: Akbar Sami
How's your third stint different from the previous one?
All the songs, the music, melody... everything is different. The programming and arrangement is new.
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How tough is it to keep a target audience in mind while making music?
My music is for everybody, and caters to all age groups. Songs like Ramaiya Wasta Waiya (Shree 420) and Ae Meri Zohrajabi (Phir Hera Pheri) from my previous albums are for people above 50, too. Presenter Roshan Abbas once told me that his mother and grandmother liked my music a lot, and danced on it!
u00a0
Tell us about your tryst with deejaying.
In the Eighties, clubs used to shut early as they didn't have much to look forward to, here. There were four to five people who were looking for jobs, at that time, they thought deejaying had no future. I got into this profession, took it seriously and bought it to limelight without any media help.
I used to go from one city to another to perform, and people used to come to listen to me. I slogged, but DJs like Aqeel and Suketu got everything on a platter. It was a very hard journey for me, my work spoke for itself.
Tell us about one song that you always wanted to remix?
Sardi mein jab piyoge yaaron from Dev Anand's Desh Pardes.
What can listeners trust you on?
My knowledge in music, my experience and hard work. A lot of people don't know about remixes, they just play 25 hits one after another, which even my driver can do!
Would you ever remix a classical number?
Never! And I'd advise youngsters against it. Artists don't even understand the lyrics of the songs; they just put western beats and do aisi ki taisi of the songs. Due to this, remixes have got a bad name and they have also ruined our name.
What kind of music do you like listening to?
I like Sufi music, and these days, I am also listening to jazz, blues, and ghazals. I am also working on a Sufi album right now.
Which artist's music has influenced you the most?
I follow the music of James Brown, George Benson and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Words for aspiring DJs.
Don't get into deejaying unless you have the know-how and soul for it.u00a0
If not a musician, what would you have been?
A choreographer.
Jalwa Returns
Available at: Leading music stores
Price: Rs 199 (CD)
Label: Times Music
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